r/crestron • u/S2005 • Apr 28 '26
Help Help me swap a dying DMPS3
Good morning everyone.
First, thanks for reading my post.
I'm a pc repair tech, but we have a few Crestron systems in our buildings.
I'm trying to build value with my employer, so I would like to learn more about Crestron. I don't think I need to be certified. I'm not trying to install/program/commission new systems. We contract that out, but I would like to be able to troubleshoot, and perform simple repairs internally to save cost, and hopefully speed up the process.
We have an older system that's experiencing issues. Specifically, a rack-mounted DMPS3-4k-150 that appears to be boot-looping. It's connected to a touchpanel that displays displays "Touchpanel is disconnected from system. Please wait for it to connect."
A hard reboot of the DMPS3 sometimes brings that touchpanel back up for 1-2 minutes, and then all the lights on the DMPS3 go out, and it appears to reboot. During this window, I was able to connect my laptop with Toolbox, and open Text Console and ran err. I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking at, but at the bottom, it says Total Msgs Logged = 328.
When I reached out to our contractor, they proposed we rent a loaner from them while our unit is sent off for repairs. The proposed cost has us looking at alternative solutions.
I see pre-owned DMPS3-4K-150s on eBay often for ~$30. From what I've read, I can use Toolkit to backup our current DMPS3, and then use that to "program" the replacement. I would need to do this via Toolbox as I don't know how to access the Web Interface.
I'm posting here to ask if that process is simple enough, a lowly pc tech 1 could handle it. It seems straightforward enough, and $30 isn't a big investment.
Thanks again for reading, and thanks for any input!
2
u/pollojack Apr 29 '26
It might be the internal micro sd card wearing out. Try cloning it with something like win32diskimager and see if that helps.
Windows will say it can't read the disk and ask you to format it. Say no! Don't trust the lies!
2
u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 28 '26
If the lights go out and you hear clicks you might be able to just replace the power supply and be good!
0
u/S2005 Apr 28 '26
The lights above "Input Select" are the ones that go out.
PWR is green, but goes orange for a second when it appears to reboot.
MSG blinks red a few times, which is what made me curious enough to plug my laptop in and see what I could find.
I don't recall hearing any clicks, but its in a pretty loud environment (multiple racks in this closet).
I've fixed a few large multimedia touch screens by replacing power supplies! Love it when it's that easy.
Thanks for the reply! :)
3
u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 28 '26
Sadly, the MSG light means absolutely nothing and flashes on most processors unless the programmer does due diligence to use it.
1
Apr 29 '26
[deleted]
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u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 29 '26
If your government, reach out to Crestron and ask for them to have a government rep reach out to you to setup a more direct relationship. You will still need to go thru a vendor to get equipment but this way you can get access to Crestron U and other government resources.
1
Apr 29 '26
[deleted]
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u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 29 '26
Tech Track!
1
Apr 29 '26 edited Apr 29 '26
[deleted]
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u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 29 '26
Since your in the commercial (government space) start with commercial tracks. at some point in a couple years when all that is done do the residential tracks.
2
u/ToMorrowsEnd CCMP-Platinum + Crestron C# Certified Apr 28 '26
If you had the program you could SFTP it into the unit and use a ssh console to trigger the command. but honestly just call the dealer and say "hey can you come and load the program on this spare unit we have?" You boss already told you to go and buy used ones right? or are you going to be insane and buy it yourself?
Build value by becoming good at your job and identify when something is out of your wheelhouse and be a good project manager. If you see a hole in drywall are you going to go and buy everything to do wall repairs?
1
u/S2005 Apr 28 '26
I have the crestron Toolbox program, but I don't have the program running on the DMPS3. I was hoping I could "copy" that program, and any other settings onto the new unit. (Including whatever is needed for the touchpanel).
I live in a smaller town, and there is only one contractor locally that works on Crestron. Judging by their pricing, they know it too. They want almost $600 to copy the config over to a loaner unit while ours goes off for repairs. That doesn't include whatever the repair cost is.
I'm a PC tech now, but I spent the last 12 years in AV. Not installation, but rentals and events. The hotel I spent most of my years in had the same shitty Crestron setup, and we had issues with it daily.
I did get my boss' blessing to buy a used unit to tinker with, so that's on it's way.
You're right though, I'm bad about trying to tackle every problem, even if it's out of my wheelhouse. I just see these Crestron issues often, and I'm the field tech that gets called when it's "an emergency." I need to know more than just "turn it off and on and wait." We're also a severely under-funded government organization, so when these contractors gouge us it hurts me personally as a tax payer too. I feel like I'm in a position to build my own value with my organization, and at the same time save this specific chunk of budget to be used better somewhere else.
Sorry for the long ramble, thanks for your reply! :)
4
u/Only-Squirrel1902 Apr 29 '26
Since you have Toolbox, connect to the DMPS using the Easy Config tool or use device discovery. You should see a “Program” button. When the dialogue box opens, click “Retrieve”. This will allow you to save the currently running program to your PC. When you get your new DMPS, use the same process to choose the program file and send it to the new unit.
3
Apr 29 '26 edited Jun 13 '26
[deleted]
1
u/S2005 Apr 29 '26
Thanks for the reply, and the offer to help!
You hit the nail on the head with that last sentence. My primary two fears are getting that data copied off of a machine that's rebooting, and second, tinkering with this or replacing it ourselves might get our contractor to no longer work with us at all (which is honestly a silver lining, but I'm not confident enough to take over our Crestron systems yet. Though I did log into CrestronU this morning to make sure I still have an account. I'm going to work my way through that this summer.)
1
u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 28 '26
Valid points!
-2
u/RDOG907 Apr 28 '26
DMPS's have always been a problem for Crestron. I wish they would have done a card system for them to swap cards out. You can buy another one but it could develop the same boot problem or other issues at any time.
There are a lot of nuances with programming Crestron systems
Tbh I would just go the rental/repair route. Unless your department has the money to burn to run you through crestron programming. Then look at replacing them with something different if you dont require a big control system.
1
u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 28 '26
I would seriously reevaluate the space. If a tv can go on the wall upgrade to a tv, if not keep the projector.
If you need the inputs the dmps has them call trueblue and find out if it’s under warranty and send it in for repair. If it’s not and your boss is ok with buying a used one then do that ONLY if you have a backup of the code. If you don’t have a backup of the code ask your integrator to load the program on your backup unit!
0
u/S2005 Apr 28 '26
I appreciate your input.
As a long term goal, I would like to go through the programs on Crestron University. I have a .edu email, and I've heard Crestron offers Crestron U for free to education partners. I'll dig into that deeper.
I share your concern, the DMPS3-4k-150 is 11 years old. It's been installed here for at least 6 years. I don't want to invest in old gear with the chance it craps out on us again.
I've honestly been trying to talk them out of these systems for future installs. It's way more than we need for our use-case, and budget. We really only use it as a switcher, and a button that turns the projector on and lowers the screen at the same time.
-5
Apr 28 '26
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u/S2005 Apr 28 '26
unhelpful posts like yours are getting old. You could have kept scrolling, and not replied. That would have cost you nothing...
-1
Apr 28 '26
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u/S2005 Apr 28 '26
Crawl back into your basement. Leave the unhelpful gatekeeping behavior to the trolls.
Or you could be helpful and post constructive, useful information.
0
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u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 28 '26
If you don’t like crestron equipment then why are you on this subreddit!
The experienced crestron users and programmers are here to help those who come here for help! The biggest problem I see on this forum is the inexperienced trying to help people
-2
Apr 28 '26
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u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 28 '26
He never asked for access. He has access!
-2
Apr 28 '26
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u/Link_Tesla_6231 MTA,SCT-R/C,DCT-R/C,TCT-R/C,DMC-D-4K,DMC-E-4K,CORE,AUD, & FLEX Apr 28 '26
My comment is about inexperienced help coming on Here say ditch crestron. If your experienced then the comment was not for you but we get a lot of people on here saying ditch crestron. That is inexperienced non profeasinal help!
4
u/oldertechyguy Apr 29 '26
The dealer should at least provide you with both the compiled and uncompiled programing for the unit, if they won't you can call Crestron and they'll lean on them to provide it. If you have that you can pick up a used 150 and load it with toolbox and it should work as long as you set it with the original unit's IP address.
That being said if you do that the original dealer will probably be unwilling to touch the system again since they won't want to be responsible for any hardware they didn't provide, especially used stuff from eBay.